James Middleton, the younger brother of Princess Kate, is honoring the memory of Queen Elizabeth II.
In a new interview with Hello! magazine, Middleton explained the sweet way he paid tribute to the late monarch, who died at 96 years old on September 8.
As a known canine aficionado and founder of dog wellness company Ella & Co, Middleton decided to pay his respects to the queen by naming his new golden retriever puppy after a family member close to her heart.
"In light of recent events, I wanted a name that is a touching tribute to the late Queen," he told the magazine.
He settled on the name Bertie, a nickname for the queen's father, King George VI. Bertie will go on to become a guide dog and companion to someone with sight loss, Middleton announced. The pup has already been given to and will be trained by Guide Dogs, a charity in London.
"It was incredible that the Queen dedicated her life to service, and in many ways Bertie the dog will be dedicating his life to service too," Middleton explained.
He added that the queen's state funeral, which took place last Monday, left an impression on him.
"I was extremely moved by the events on Monday [September 19], which I'm still taken aback by," he continued. "It is extraordinary to see how many people's lives Her Majesty touched, not just in our country, but in the Commonwealth and around the world. My eyes have been opened even wider to that."
Middleton also paid tribute to the queen in a touching message he shared on Instagram shortly after Buckingham Palace confirmed her death.
"Queen Elizabeth II, the epitome of steady grace, resolve and reassurance," he wrote, captioning a portrait of the monarch with her beloved corgis. "Our constant in a world of change 🕊 Thank you for a lifetime of service & leadership."
As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers' rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset.
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